The VIP lot: Where Hall of Famers come and go

Saturday

The parking lot of Bill's Cobbler Shop was command central for VIPs at the end of The Canton Repository Grand Parade.

The parking lot of Bill's Cobbler Shop — a few football fields north of where the parade ended — was command central for VIPs at the end of the 2.2-mile route of The Canton Repository Grand Parade.

A dozen volunteers manned the post Saturday.

Together, they seamlessly ushered an endless stream of blue, black, red and white Corvettes into the parking lot, around the back of the building, then back down to Cleveland Avenue NW. Their list of A-listers included everyone from current and past Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees to Canton Mayor Tom Bernabei.

The cobbler shop lot is where Hall of Famers exit their parade vehicles and get rides in another vehicle, back to a hotel.

Green Bay Packers' great James Lofton was ready to drive himself — sort of. He eyed the shiny white Stingray in front of him in the cobbler shop lot, then hopped into the driver's seat.

He flashed a big smile.

"Let's go Beverly!" he yelled to his wife.

James Lofton checks out the doughnuts

Lofton, now a game analyst for CBS, said he loves riding in the parade, because it's a free event. He said it's also an opportunity to digest faces, sights and sounds.

"I love the collection of doughnuts you see," he said.

Before Lofton headed to his hotel, he spotted former San Diego Chargers' quarterback Dan Fouts coming through the lot.

"Dan-O!" Lofton shouted.

Fouts grinned.

"Thanks for coming," Fouts replied, as he gestured with a parade-style wave.

Anthony Munoz, a former offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, said Hall of Fame weekend is bigger and better every year. He said fans in Canton are non-partisan.

"They're just fans of football, period," he said.

Preparing for the VIPs

Will Disman, a parade committee member, worked with the security and logistics committee on the VIP setup.

Jim Moore served as designated "watcher."

Thoughout the morning, Moore stood at street level, eyeing the nose of the parade as it approached Malone University to the south — where the trek ended for most participants, such as marching bands. Moore's job was to make sure volunteers in the VIP lot were on their toes and ready to go when duty called.

"Incoming!" Moore shouted when enshrinee cars approached.

As the morning wore on, he got even more specific.

"Incoming, four!" he shouted as a group of four vehicles approached.

Other volunteers sprang into action like a NASCAR pit crew. One person brought bottles of water to each VIP car. Another removed the placard with the name of the VIP from the car. Another helped Hall of Famers and their families out of their parade cars. Another provided directions to the Holiday Inn.

Within minutes of arriving at the cobbler shop, each Hall of Famer was out and on their way.

"We get a little better every year," said Greg Feczko, a security committee volunteer for two decades.

Ohio like home for Beathard

Bobby Beathard, a longtime NFL executive and a member of this year's class, said Ohio is like his home away from home. He was born in Zanesville. His parents went to college in Ohio. And he was an Ohio State Buckeyes fan growing up.

"Just awesome ... I can't believe how great Canton is," his wife, Christine Beathard, said after exiting her parade car.

Dave Casper, a former Raiders' tight end, said there's no special trick to being in the parade.

"I'm good at it," he said.

Seventy-two-year old Curley Culp, a defensive tackle for Kansas City and Houston, began his pro career in the 1960s. He invoked an era-appropriate description of the parade.

"Everything is just groovy," he said.

Andrea Kremer rides for 'all the little girls'

Sports journalist Andrea Kremer was invited to ride in the parade — but she wasn't sure it was appropriate.

"It's for the Hall of Famers," she explained.

Kremer has been to Canton many times. A two-time Emmy winner and Peabody Award winner, she's this year's recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-TV Award, hence the parade invite.

"I wasn't going to do it, but my husband (John Steinberg) talked me into it," said Kremer. "He said 'you have to ride in the parade ... what about all the little girls who will be there?' "

Kremer said she's not a "Nazi feminist."

However, her husband was right, she added.

Kremer, 59, is chief correspondent for the NFL Network. Her career includes stops at NFL Films, ESPN and NBC. She's covered 25 Super Bowls, as well as the NBA finals, Major League Baseball's league championship series, college football bowl games, the Stanley Cup, the NCAA men's basketball tournament and winter and summer Olympics.

Parade a hit with Brazile, Lewis

Robert Brazile — a member of this year's class — said the parade was the best he's seen.

"We have a parade called Mardi Gras, back home in Mobile (Ala.)," said the former Houston Oilers linebacker. "In Canton, you have the Hall of Fame parade ... I like this one better."

Another in this year's class, Ray Lewis, was equally impressed.

"It was amazing; Canton is beautiful," he said.

Former Washington Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger, chided Steelers' great "Mean Joe" Greene to step out of the way so his car could get on the road.

"C'mon, Joe, out of the way!" he yelled, before smiling.

Hanburger said Canton fans are tops.

"I don't do parades," he said.

Except for Canton's, that is.

Matthews lauds Canton fans

Bruce Matthews, a former Houston Oilers offensive tackle, said fans in Canton are among the best. His brother, Clay Matthews, Jr., played 16 years for the Browns.

"I always heard a lot about the people up here," Matthews said.

Cris Carter, a former star receiver who co-hosts "First Things First" on the FS1 Network, said the volunteers who put entire weekend together are second to none.